For this month’s cover art, we wanted to to go bold and feature a local artist who understands the sights, sounds, moments and traditions that encompass Columbia. We are lucky to showcase a painting by Clay Rogers, owner of Clay Creates, LLC and assistant athletics director for Mizzou Athletics, as this month’s cover artist.
Rogers discovered his love for art as a child and continued to develop his talents throughout high school. After a 15-year hiatus, he returned to painting as a way to relieve stress and hasn’t looked back. After making his artwork public, he then decided to start a small business.
“I didn't necessarily start out thinking I was going to build an art business,” Rogers said. “It really grew from creating and painting things I enjoyed, and then people started asking me to create pieces for them; eventually, that turned into Clay Creates.”
Many of Rogers’ pieces are painted shoes, along with murals connected to the University of Missouri and the Columbia community. It’s likely you’ve passed by them if you attend Mizzou sports games.
“I've had the opportunity to create murals for Mizzou Athletics, including work inside Mizzou Arena and Taylor Stadium, as well as the Hearnes Center…” he said. “One of the things I enjoy most about creating murals is knowing the artwork becomes part of the space and something people get to experience every day.”
Rogers recognizes that the pieces that mean the most to him are those that allow him to open himself up to the possibilities of his artistry. Working from the studio in the basement of his home provides him with the space to work with a free flow of ideas and try new methods.
“My favorite pieces are the ones where I have some creative freedom. I love taking something recognizable and putting my own style into it with bold colors, loose brushstrokes, splatter, stencil work and some graffiti-inspired elements.”
The cover image, “Taste of the Wild,” makes a bold statement, evoking beloved traditions and lasting transitions that define Columbia whether talking about the food scene, businesses or community. Rogers enjoys creating pieces with a story and personal connection behind them.
“Those usually mean the most to me because I'm not just painting an image — I'm trying to capture something about a person, place or experience,” he said. “I like to try and put spray paint, acrylic, and airbrushing into all my paintings.”
For “Taste of the Wild,” Rogers looked to integrate his style with emblematic images that help define classic aspects of the Columbia community. The University of Missouri is, in the best way, inescapable when living in the city. Not only is it the largest employer, it adds thousands more residents for at least nine months out of the year, increasing the exciting atmosphere surrounding sports and downtown life, especially in the fall.
“I wanted to create something that immediately felt like Columbia but also stayed true to my style as an artist,” said Rogers. “The tiger was a natural focal point because of how connected it is to Columbia and Mizzou, and I wanted to surround it with really vibrant colors and loose, expressive brushstrokes.”
As the theme of this issue is “Food and Drink,” Rogers also hinted at Tiger Stripe Ice Cream, a Buck’s Ice Cream iconic flavor and the University of Missouri’s signature ice cream. Created by Robert Marshall and his research team, Tiger Stripe Ice Cream was developed in 1989, after many attempts to find the right flavor when including the signature “stripes.”
Outside of Mizzou, the food scene in Columbia continues to expand, adding new tastes and options to the community. It represents the culture of Columbia and an aspect of life that consistently brings others together. Rogers has many favorite local eateries.
“When I think about food in Columbia, I think about the places that have become part of the personality of the city. There are so many local restaurants and spots that people associate with being in Columbia, especially around downtown. 44 Canteen, Sophia's and Flyover are probably some of my favorites.”
Whether before a high school or college game or after a nightly celebration, downtown Columbia is alive with fans, excitement and team pride. The atmosphere is electric and good food is always on the menu no matter where you go.
“I also think food is such a big part of the experience of Columbia — whether you're downtown, going to a game or just spending time with friends and family.”